Aruna Sairam to perform at the International Oud Festival

This year is a special one for Carnatic singer

Aruna Sairam

. To begin with, she will be honoured with the title of Sangita Kalanidhi by the Madras

Music

Academy. And now, the vocalist has been invited to perform at the prestigious

International Oud Festival

2018, in Jerusalem, on November 13. This festival, apart from presentations of unique versions of ancient and contemporary works from classic Arab and Persian oud artistes, will also have a segment of performances based on classical forms of music from across the globe. Every year, an eminent musician from India is chosen to perform there, and this year, Aruna will take

Carnatic music

to Jerusalem. “It is an honour to represent India and perform at the prestigious festival. This festival, conducted by the Israeli government, brings together traditional and classical music from across the globe — and in this, the event promises to showcase the unity we have through music. So, I am just thrilled,” says Aruna.

And about what she will perform there, Aruna says, “I am going to present hardcore Carnatic music and will take my regular team of violin, mridangam and ghatam players. I want the audience there to listen to our classical form in the untampered format. Of course, I will also, through my renditions, show how our music has evolved with influences from different cultures around the world. So, it will be a journey through emotions.”

This is her first visit to Jerusalem, and so, Aruna is excited. She says, “It is a historic venue, ascribed to be the place that brings together three great religions of the world. And that itself adds a lot of magic to the whole thing. I will definitely visit some historical places and will listen to their traditional music.” Previously, Aruna has taken Carnatic music to prestigious venues including Royal Albert Hall, London, Royal Festival Hall, London and Carnegie Hall, New York.